I had one Sunday free when I visited Paris for work. I had the very option of going to the Eiffel Tower. But with the thick fog and winter, I did not expect any view of the city from atop. And as I am always, I did not want to see that same Eiffel Tower which everyone else saw. I wanted to go somewhere else. I thought of the Louvre Museum and the other option put in front of me was the French Palace of Versailles or Chateau de Versailles and other options were several cathedrals. And finally, after brainstorming I decided, on my perfect day trip to the ‘Palace of Versailles’ from Paris.
Also read: Day trip to Chateau de Fontainebleau from Paris and Day Trip to Champagne-Ardennes region from Paris - other UNESCO Sites in France
VISIT PALACE OF VERSAILLES:
Sunday morning after a typical French vegetarian breakfast (that’s a French Bread, Butter, Jam, An orange juice and A hot chocolate – all for 6 Euros, we headed off to Versailles in Paris Metro. After reaching the Versailles Reve Gauche Metro station a small walk took me to the lane from where the view of the palace was exquisite. I reached the palace and took the entry ticket and went in. Btw, Versailles is pronounced as 'ver-sai' that rhymes with 'purse-(bons)ai'. The last 'lles' aren't pronounced!
The comfortable part was having an audio guide for the self-guided Versailles tour to explain all the details of each and every room at your own pace, unlike a guided tour which mostly feels rushed! Its a keypad audio guide with a headset. Each and every room had a display that gave details about the room and a keypad code for more details. So here I am, giving you a compilation of all that with pictures & more - here's your Palace of Versailles Virtual Tour.
Versailles Palace was built in 17th Century when Louis XIV fell in love with Versailles and decided to move his court and palace here and did the same in 1682. As we went in the first to witness was the Royal Chapel. This was built in 1699 to 1710 by Jules Hardouin-Mansarrt and Robert de Cotte. This is 2 storeyed – the first floor for the King and Royal family, the second for others.
As I proceeded to the next room I just peeped out of the window to see the exquisite view of the enormous garden against the cloudy grey sky. In 1661 under André Le Nôtre this garden was created. This was as important as the Palace to Louis XIV. I didn't have too much time to stroll around the garden, but many rooms do lend a spectacular view of the gardens, esp., Hall of Mirrors!
ROOM NAMES, PAINTINGS & CEILING FRESCOES
The King's State Apartment in the Palace of Versailles consists of 7 rooms namely Hercules drawing room, Room of Abundance, Venus drawing room, Diana drawing room, Mercury drawing room, Mars drawing room & Apollo drawing room.
The first room of King's State Apartments is called Hercules Drawing Room. This is essentially a ballroom. The painting on the ceiling was about Hercules entering the Kingdom of Gods, painted by Francois Lemoyne. There was something special along the border of this painting. On the edges what seemed like sculptures were that realistically painted flat surfaces. It took some time for me to make out if it was painting or sculpture.!!! The painting above the fireplace is called Elieser and Rebecca, painted by Veronese. I especially loved the lighting in this painting. The bag had a streak of light on it – that’s something special. Opposing this is Christ at the House of Siman the Pharisee again painted by Veronese in 1664. There were several portraits and busts of several people of the royal family in every room and along the pathway too.
The next was the Venus Drawing Room which was a dining hall where several fruits and buffet were kept during evenings of receptions and other celebrations. Here right on the ceiling was Venus, the Goddess of Love, by Rene Antoine Houasse. Centrally placed was a statue of Louis XIV himself.
Next room was the Diana Drawing Room which was originally the King’s billiard room which later became a ballroom. On the ceiling was Diana, the Goddess of Hunting by Gabriel Blanchard. Centrally placed is the very famous marble bust of Louis XIV.
Next was the Mars Drawing Room. On the ceiling was Mars, the God of wars, himself in a chariot driven by Wolves, painted by Claude II Andren. Then there's David playing the Harp by Dominichino painted in 1620. Then was there a painting of the Family of Darius at Alexander’s Feet painted by Charles Le Brun. This one is called Pilgrims of Emmaus by Veronese. That is Queen Marie Lenzezinska (and the Queen of Chennai, it's me.... *insert big grin here*). Do you need any other evidence to understand their wealth and grandiose.
The next room is the Mercury drawing room, which is a Ceremonial Chamber. At the centre of the ceiling is Mercury, the God of arts and science painted by Jean Baptiste de Champagne. On either sides of the wall are Queen Marie Lenzezinska and Louis XV. The clock placed in this room has its own automation, made by Antonie and presented to Louis XIV in 1706. Automated clocks in this era are not so common and it was the period when the technology started to pioneer.
The bed placed in this room is adorned with 18th C embroidery and is commissioned by King Louis Philippe in the 19th C. The only thought that got into my mind when looking at this was if I ever happen to own something as flamboyant as this, I would never have the will to sleep on this. I’d rather keep as a showpiece and sleep on the floor!!!!
The next room is the Apollo Salon. This was formerly the King’s chamber which later became the Throne room (explains the presence of a Throne here!). At the centre of the ceiling is Apollo, the sun god. She is a Candelabra, basically a candle holder and is made of wood, would you believe it.? Yes, its gilded wood..!!!
Next is the War-Drawing Room. Then there is a Peace-Drawing Room. Both of these are perfectly in symmetry. The walls of this room are entirely sheathed with marbles and other precious and semi precious stones and metals.
The next is the fantastic Hall of Mirrors. This is beautiful inside & outside. Filled with exquisite paintings and sculptures and delicate crystal chandeliers too!!! When you're here don't miss looking at the Palace of Versailles Gardens through the windows! On the side of this room is the Bull’s Eye Room. It gets its name from the window atop. This is oval in shape and is attached to the ceiling. This room is essentially a waiting room for the courtiers before they get the permission into the King’s bedroom.
You should have guessed what room could follow it now! Yeah – King’s Bedroom!!! This was his room from 1701 to 1715 when he died. And the traditional ceremonies of his rising and going back to bed took place in this room!!! Again, if I were to get this bed, I’d never sleep on it and just preserve it as a showpiece!!!!! This painting here depicts Louis XV giving peace to Europe painted by Francois Lamoyne in 1729.
The next room in the Queen’s Noble Salon. This is one of the 4 rooms in Queen's Apartment. This was originally the antechamber of Queen Marie-Therese. Then this room became the Grand Cabinet. The ceiling of this room has Mercury surrounded by Arts and Sciences painted by Michel II Corneille. There is a portrait of Louis XV here in this room in royal array. The furniture in this room was commissioned for Marie Antoinette from Jean Henry Riesener in 1786. The carpet below is the Savonnerie Carpet woven under Louis XIV.
Following this was the Guard Room. As the name denotes this is the room of the guard of the Queen in 1680. On the ceiling of this room is decorated with Jupiter along with Justice and Piety. Over the fireplace in this room is the painting of the Sacrifice to Jupiter. The other painting in this room is The Childhood of Jupiter in Mount Ida.
After this room I proceeded to the most important room – The Coronation Room. This room has the famous painting of the Coronation of Napoleon. This denotes Empress Josephine being crowned in Notre Dame of Paris on 2nd Dec 1804 painted by Jacques Louis David. This is a zoomed in image of Empress Josephine, King Napoleon, and the Pope. I just love her long robe. Seems to have been embroidered in the best of the silks available.
The other painting in this room is of the Army taking oath of allegiance to Napoleon after the distribution of Eagles in Champs de Mars. The other painting in the room is the Battle of Aboukir. In this huge painting I spotted out this particular person in the battle. He looks like an Indian, esp. a Rajput. Also I could spot an African too in this painting. I do not the specifications behind this painting or the identity of them, but unquestionably they are Indian & African soldiers. This was painted by Antoine Jean Gros in 1806.
This room had, what should be a few hundreds of portraits of several royal family members. The year 1792 is important as it denotes French Revolution when on 10th Aug 1792, the monarchy fell...
GALLERY OF GREAT BATTLES - PALACE OF VERSAILLES
This is the very last room I visited. It is 120m long room, a very long gallery that has 30+ portraits of various military successes of French monarchy!
On Google Maps - Palace of Versailles
Nearest Paris metro/railway station: Gare de Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche
It comes under Zone 4 of Paris Metro/RER. Your Paris Metro Pass zones 1-5 would include this station.
Its connected by RER C line which connects directly from Notre-Dame Cathedral, Musee d'Orsay and Eiffel Tower.
PALACE OF VERSAILLES TICKETS (prices updated on July 2020)
It is advisable to buy it online to avoid super queues.
€ 27 - Incl. Palace entry & musical fountain show in Garden for 1 day
€ 30 - Incl. Palace entry & musical fountain show in Garden for 2 days
€ 18 - Incl. Palace entry without musical fountain show in Garden
Free entry to Versailles Palace for all under 18 yrs of age (and EU residents under 26 yrs of age)!
Also Paris Museum pass ensures free entry to Versailles Palace excl. musical fountains
Also first Sunday of every month from Nov-Mar have free entry to Versailles Palace excl. musical fountains.
Even if you can get free entry, it is better to book the timed-slot online to avoid queues.
Palace - Tue-Sun - 9:00AM to 6:30PM (last admission 5:30PM)
Park - All days - 7:00AM to 8:30PM
LOng ??????
ReplyDeleteNope ,am pretty much enjoying seeing these pics :)
Keep em comin...
Hey enna pa ennoda blog ku varavae matingala ????
A great place to visit and a comprehensive post for travellers.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post
ReplyDeleteI know France is beautiful :-)
Great shots and nice lines written !!
What a place and too good takes :)
ReplyDeleteLove Is In The Air, Love Is In Nature
Oh la la Paris!! sorry that the weather is not nice..
ReplyDeleteWonderful post of a wonderful chateau!
ReplyDeleteHi Mitr, I have only seen this place at night from the outside, thanks for showing us inside.
ReplyDeleteSo are you saying you haven't been to the Galeries Lafayette Department store yet. Tut! Tut.!
The Opera House is always worth a look as well.
Pics are too good and a very detailed post :) :) Loved it... wow.. I wanna visit Paris now :P ipave ipave :) after reading your post :)
ReplyDeleteWowww!!!!!! Sooo Beautiful Paris!!
ReplyDeleteHi Fiend! Sorry for another long absence, but after a busy start of the year I decided to make a break during the Carnival week, anticipating new hard weeks ahead!!
ReplyDeleteWow! You look gorgeous on your Paris trip. Quite appropriate for Versailles!! I'm sure you're having a great time!!
Meanwhile, Blogtrotter 2 (there is a ne one, you know...) is in Haiti, waiting for your comments. Hope you enjoy and have a great weekend!!
@Sathish,
ReplyDeleteThank you.. :)
Am coming.. coming... came!!!! :D
@Diane,
Thanks dear.. :)
@Anya,
Very true. France is really beautiful...
@Bhavesh,
Thanks sweetheart.. :)
@Aysegul,
Yeah.. The weather was so chill. Atleast there was no snow!!!
@Jose,
ReplyDeleteThanks honey!!!
@Roy,
U r welcome dear.. :) Missed out the Opera.. But did make to Galeries Lafayette... Check out my next post!!!
@Sow,
Polamdi.. Let's go...
@Creativity,
Thanks dear.. :)
@GMG,
Yeah!!! I had a great time in Paris!!! Thanks dear...
Hope u had a great time in the carnival... :)
Stanning pictures, very beautiful.Because you are a star and you like the art, please have a look here STAR!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tour of the palace. Loved every bit of it. The paintings are marvelous.
ReplyDeleteGujari Mahal, Gwalior
Hi Friend! Happy Holi. Great Festival of Colours!!
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, Blogtrotter 2 is still in Haiti, now at Malfini Beach. Hope you enjoy and have a great week!!
@Phivos,
ReplyDeleteAm coming... :)
@Rajesh,
Glad that you liked the post Rajesh... :)
@GMG,
Thank you so much dear... Happy Holi to you too.. :)
You have travelled sooo much!!!You are really lucky gal...I love travelling!!!
ReplyDeletefollowin u...
do follow my blog too,wud love to keep in touch
http://emoruhi.blogspot.com/
@Ruhie,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for dropping by and commenting dear.
Do drop by often. I'd love your visits & comments... :)